Mar 31
Eid al-Fitr
Monday 1 Shawwal, 1446
Mar 31
Monday 1 Shawwal, 1446
Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر) is one of the two religious and social festivals in Islam; Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى) is the other one. The word Eid means "Festival" or "Feast." The Arabic phrase Eid al-Fitr can be translated as "Festival of Breaking the Fast," as it is celebrated after the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan.
At the time of migration of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, from Mecca to Medina, in 622 CE, the people of Medina used to celebrate two specific days, annually. The celebrations on these two days included festivity, recreation, and entertainment. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ told them that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ has assigned two fixed days of festivity for the Muslims, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Accordingly, in 624 CE (2 AH), the Muslims of Medina fasted during the month of Ramadan and celebrated the first-ever Eid al-Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal. Since then, this day has been celebrated across the Muslim World, with religious passion, annually.
Although Eid al-Fitr is not directly mentioned in the Quran, some of the verses point to this annual festive occasion. One such reference is the 185th verse of Surah Al-Baqara, where the significance of the completion of fasting in Ramadan mentioned advising the believers to say Glory to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and be grateful to Him. The Quran Commentators are of the view that here, “gratitude” points towards the festivity of Eid al-Fitr.
Translation - Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed as guidance to man and clear proof of the guidance, and criterion (of falsehood and truth). So when you see the new moon you should fast the whole month; but a person who is ill or traveling (and fails to do so) should fast on other days, as God wishes ease and not hardship for you, so that you complete the (fixed) number (of fasts), and give glory to God for the guidance, and be grateful.
Eid al-Fitr and its importance are frequently mentioned in different Hadiths. Some of these are appended below:
Hadith 1134 of Sunan Abi Dawud, narrates, how the Islamic festivity days were fixed by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ:
Translation - Narrated Anas ibn Malik: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to Medina, the people had two days on which they engaged in games. He asked: What are these two days (what is the significance)? They said: We used to engage ourselves in them in the pre-Islamic period. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Allah has substituted for them something better than them, the day of sacrifice and the day of the breaking of the fast.
Hadith 1503 of Sahih Al-Bukhari narrates the obligatory payment of Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana):
Translation - Narrated Ibn `Umar: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the `Id prayer. (One Sa' = 3 Kilograms approx.)
Hadith 989 of Sahih Al-Bukhari narrates about the special Eid Prayer:
Translation - Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) went out and offered a two rak`at prayer on the Day of `Id ul Fitr and did not offer any other prayer before or after it and at that time Bilal was accompanying him.
The above Hadiths establish the three important things. Firstly, the days of the two Eids were fixed by the Prophet. Secondly, payment of Zakat al-Fitr was made compulsory, fixing its amount as well. Thirdly, offering the special Eid prayer as a sunnah of the Prophet. Hence, Eid al-Fitr is one of the most significant Islamic festivals, marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It is a day of gratitude, joy, and community activities when Muslims celebrate their devotion and spiritual growth.
The day of Eid al-Fitr starts with a special prayer known as “Salat al, Eid al-Fitr.” It is customary to offer this special prayer, preferably in an open space. It is offered in the congregation immediately after sunrise. Per some traditions, the Prophet used to recite “Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar, Allāhu Akbar. Lā ilāha illà l-Lāh. Allāhu Akbar, Allahu akbar, wa-li-l-Lāh al-ḥamd" loudly, on his way to the Prayer ground. It is better to repeat this Sunnah while going towards the Eid prayer ground.
It is also a well-established tradition to wear new clothes and eat some sweets before going to the prayer ground. In this context, Eid al-Fitr is also referred to as “Sweet Eid.” However, if new clothes are not available, one should wear the best available dress, neatly prepared for this occasion. Another pre-requisite for starting the Eid Celebrations is the payment of “Fitrana,” also known as “Zakat al-Fitr.” It is a small amount, which is mandatory to be paid for each member of the family, including kids. The head of the family can pay Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of all the members of his family.
After offering the Eid Prayers, everyone greets each other by saying "Eid Mubarak" or any such greeting in their local language. This day is a festivity, so families prepare special festive meals. People walk around to their friends to greet each other. Special gatherings at the family level are also customary among Muslim communities, especially those living in Muslim Minority countries. The day of Eid is a day of celebration, entertainment, and joy, which is celebrated by Muslims while strictly observing Islamic teachings.
Eid al-Fitr falls on the 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Since Islamic dates are not fixed, Eid al-Fitr falls on different dates corresponding to the Gregorian Calendar, approximately 9-10 days earlier each year. This variation in dates is due to the fact that an Islamic month starts with the sighting of the moon.
Accordingly, each Islamic month is either 29 or 30 days long. In most Islamic countries, the government officially manages the moon's sighting. Muslim minority countries often celebrate Islamic events, such as Eid al-Fitr, in accordance with the Islamic dates, as practiced in Saudi Arabia.
Eid al-Fitr is a religious celebration, hence the start of the day of Eid al-Fitr is marked by offering special Eid Prayers. It consists of two Raka’at, which are offered in congregation, preferably in open areas. However, if that's not possible due to weather, regulatory, or security restrictions, it can also be offered inside the mosques.
Before proceeding with Eid prayers, it is mandatory to pay Zakat al-Fitr, which is applicable to all men and women, whether young or old. It is a mandatory charity which has to be paid to poor people. Eating something sweet before going for Eid Prayer is an act of Sunnah, which is widely practiced across the Muslim world.
Similarly, wearing new clothes is also a common practice on the day of Eid, especially before going for Eid Prayer. However, if new clothes are not available, the best of the available dresses can also be used. The purpose of wearing new or otherwise best-available dresses is to pay gratitude.
Once the religious duty of paying Zakat al-Fitr and offering special Eid Prayer is completed, the celebrations continue with family and friends gathering. Everyone greets each other. According to the local culture, special dishes are prepared on this day. The Eid celebrations are also aimed at Forgiveness & Unity, which strengthens interpersonal relationships and spreads happiness.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal, after the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan. That's why it is called the festival of breaking the fast.
After breaking the fast on the 29th of Ramadan, arrangements for the sighting of the Shawwal moon are made, individually as well as on the Government level. In most of the Islamic Countries, the task of sighting of the moon is entrusted to a government body. If the moon is sighted, the month of Ramadan ends on the 29th day, and Eid al-Fitr falls on the next day. However, if the moon is not sighted on the 29th of Ramadan, the next day would be observed as the 30th of Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr would fall after the completion of 30 days of fasting.
Zakat al-Fitr is a sort of charity, that is mandatory on all men and women, young or old, including the kids. The head of the family may pay this amount on behalf of his family members. It has to be paid before going for Eid Prayer.
While the celebrations of Eid are mainly based on the local culture of each country, the religious obligations are the same across the world. It consists of paying Zakat al-Fitr and then offering a special Eid Prayer in the congregation, preferably in open areas. Subsequent celebrations mostly consist of meeting and greeting friends and families, preparing special foods, and spending time with friends. Family gatherings are also managed as per local cultural norms.
Wearing new or best available clothes, applying scent, eating some sweets, and paying Zakat al-Fitr before proceeding to the prayer ground. Greeting each other on this day is yet another much-liked Sunnah practice.